Mining skip



2 May 1, 1962 All 6 "UH D. c. CARD 3,032,222

MINING SKIP Filed Dec. 9, 1959 PUG-.2.

INVENTOR. DAVID C. CARD ATTORNEYS nited States Patent 3,032,222 MINING SKIP David C. Card, Denver, Colo., assignor to C. S. Card Iron Works (30., Denver, Colo., a corporation of Colorado Filed Dec. 9, 1959, Ser. No. 858,504 9 Claims. (Cl. 214-707) This invention relates to mining skips and more particularly to improvements in bottom opening mine haulage skips.

Bottom dump mining skips have been heretofore utilized in the mining industry. In one particular type of bottom opening mine skip, the bottom opening door is pivoted close to the lowest point in the skip and the door closes upwardly forming a sloping bottom wall for the skip, and it opens downwardly so that the carried load slides along the door during discharge. By use of tracks or scrolls and runners the bottom door of the skip is made to open when the skip is pulled up to a discharge position. By properly placing the tracks, the skip door is made to open at a particular time for dumping the ore. It not infrequently happens with this type of mining skip that the door does not open properly for discharging ore. In such situations the runners on the skip door fail to align and correctly travel in the scrolls and the door jams in the framework partially open. The ore slides against the partially open door holding the skip against movement either up or down, thus shutting down mining operations until the carried ore is removed from the skip and the jam is loosened.

According to the present invention there is provided a door-opening track or scroll which insures positive opening action and prevents jamming of the door of a bottom opening skip. The scroll provides three or four directional movements of the door opening runners in its initial phase to provide positive door movement and prevent jamming. The skip includes a door having a positioning scroll for operating against stationary rollers and rollers running in stationary scrolls which insures proper guiding of the rollers and scroll runners for positive door opening.

Included among the objects and advantages of the present invention is a novel scroll and scroll runner assembly for a bottom dump mine skip which insures a positive door opening action without jamming. The scroll and runner combination provides a smooth, distinctive action in door opening and closing; such scroll being a sectional scroll operating with stationary and moving scroll runners, which prevents jamming of the door. The scroll is sectional having a portion mounted as a stationary section on the shaft framework and a portion on the discharge door of the skip.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention may be readily ascertained by referring to the following description and appended illustrations in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ore skip mounted in its shaft superstructure with the bottom dump door in partial open position; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a slightly modified scroll according to the invention.

In the device illustrated in FIG. 1, upright columns 1, 2, 3 and 4 represent main supports of a mine shaft at a dump station or level, and bracing 6, 7, 8 and 9 provide reinforcing for the upright members. Upper bracing members 10 provide additional reinforcing. Skip guide tracks 11 and 12 are mounted on opposite sides of the shaft for guiding a mine skip, shown in general by numeral 15. Such tracks are generally extended the length of the shaft required for travel of the skip. The skip includes a body portion 16, which is an upright four-walled hopper type member (in certain in- 3,632,222 Patented May 1, 1962 stances the skip may also include an upper stage), a sloping bottom 14, and a bottom opening door 17 pivoted adjacent the bottom of the skip, the pivoted hinge not being shown. The door includes side panels or skirts 19 and 20 which extend outside along the side walls of the skip forming in effect a pouring spout for discharging ore from the skip. The door is provided with roller members 21 mounted on a support bar 22. The rollers 21 are arranged to run in door opening scroll 23 mounted on upright 3 and its opposed scroll member 23a mounted on upright 1. The scrolls are mirror images of each other and provide a track for the rollers as the skip passes upwardly. Stationary rollers 25 are mounted on the scroll section in position to register with short scroll members 24 and 26 mounted on each side of the door adjacent its upper end.

The scroll 23 includes a pair of tracks forming a straight, vertical section 27, a forwardly extending section 28 which is disposed at an angle directed forwardly of the vertical section 27, and a single track extension forming a section 29 rearwardly directed. The section 29 18 a continuation of the inner track of the scroll, leaving an open front to permit the rollers 21 to move up out of the section 28 onto the section 29. When the door 17 is fully open, it forms a continuous slanted bottom for the hopper thereby providing an essentially smooth discharge chute. The scroll 23a has mirror-image matching sections to those described for the scroll 23, and it is to be understood that the rollers 21 on both sides of the door engage the opposed scrolls in similar manner to provide uniform, positive action of both sides of the door. Scroll sections 24 are mounted on the door skirts spaced inwardly from the short sections 26 in position to accomapny the rollers 25 therebetween. The scroll sections 26 contact the rollers 25 forcing the door scrolls 24 to ride on the rollers 25. This prevents the rol ers 21 from moving upwardly and outwardly beyond rollers 25, as where movement of the ore in the skip is not momentarily sufficient to weight the door downwardly forcing the rollers 21 onto the scroll section 29.

The angle of inclination of the scroll section 28 to the vertical section 27 is adjusted to provide the desired door opening characteristics. As shown in FIG. 1 the angle to the vertical section is about one half the angle to the horizontal section 30. However, this may be changed, for example, to an angle to the vertical which is twice the angle to the horizontal which provides a very fast initial, partial opening of the door.

During operation of the skip as it is pulled up the shaft superstructure by a haulage rope, not shown, the door 17 is maintained closed by a lock mechanism, not shown, until the skip reaches the position where the rollers 21 engage the scrolls 23 and 23a. When the rollers of the door engage the scrolls 23 and 23a, the door is unlatched (this system is not shown as it is well known and forms no part of the present invention). After the door lock mechanism is released, the door movement is controlled by the scroll section. As the skip is pulled upwardly, the point is reached where the rollers 21 engage the outwardly directed scroll section 28. Continued upward movement of the skip starts the'door opening procedure since the rollers 21 pull the door forwardly while the main hopper 16 rises vertically. Further travel 'of the skip upwardly moves the rollers 21 along the outwardly directed scroll sections 28 to the position where the scroll sections 26 on the door contact the frame mounted rollers 25. This holds the door scroll sections 24 in contact with the rollers 25, and it swings outwardly as the scrolls 24 run along these rollers. This movement forces the door open and past the point where the door panel 17 is horizontal. The sections 26 guide the contact with scrolls 24 forcing the rollers 21 to move outwardly to their maximum horizontal distance away from the body of the skip, where the panel 17 is essentially horizontal and the rollers 21 are substantially dispcsed in between the section 28 andthe section 29 of the scrolls. Further movement of the skip pulls the scrolls 24 back along the rollers to the point where the rollers 21 contact the scroll section 29. As the rollers 21 move along the scroll 29, the door is deflected downwardly from the door hinge. At the maximum skip height, the front panel of the door is at a steep downward angle generally in line with the stationary floor or the skip forming a discharge chute for the ore from the skip. The skirts 19 and Ztl'on the door provide sides which keep the ore from spilling sideways off the front panel of the door. As the skip is lowered the process reverses so that the door gradually closes and when the rollers 21 leave the bottom of the scroll the door is again locked in closed position for another load of muck or ore.

1n the modification of FIG. 2, a scroll section corresponding to the scroll section 23a is illustrated. In this case the scroll includes a pair of tracks'forrning a vertical lower section 40 having a flared inlet 39 to receive the scroll running rollers of the skip. The forwardly directed upper section of the scroll is formed in two sections including an intermediate section 41 which is extended forwardly of the vertical section 49 at a slight angle, and an upper section 42 which is extended forwardly of the intermediate section 41 at a greater angle. The angle at which the center line of the scroll section 42 intercepts the center line of the intermediate scroll section 41 is approximately twice the angle that the center line of the intermediate scroll section intercepts the center line of the vertical section 40. In this instance, the reverse turn or the single track section 43 of the scroll extends rearwardly of the scroll section 42 and provides means for the fully open position of the door, as indicated by dashed lines 17. The hinge 45 of the door travels along the center line 46 which is a Vertical path following the travel of the skip, and, at the maximum ascension of the skip, the door 17 is at a relatively steep angle downwardly from the horizontal to permit the ore to be discharged outwardly.

The straight forwardly extending scroll sections pro vide for an angular acceleration of the door rollers to permit the door to open smoothly and with sutficient speed, in relation to the vertical movement of the skip, to cause a smooth, fast discharge of contained ore. The scroll sections 26 and 24 on the door prevent jamming of the door as they prevent the rollers 21 from moving upwardly and outwardly beyond the rollers 25 and insures positive movement of rollers 21 onto the scroll section 29. Obviously, if the rollers ride outwardly and over rollers '25 the door will not completely open causmg amming since the ore slides in the hopper and rests against the door. The ore Wedges downwardly against a partially open door preventing it from closing, while the door is prevented from further opening by misplacement of the scroll members; Thus, the scroll sections 26 guide the door rollers 21 onto the scroll 29. Scroll sections 29 and 43 only require one track since the weight of the door and carried ore holds the door rollers on the single track once guided onto the single track sections. In FIG. 2 the door scroll section 26 is clearly shown in its relation to roller 25 and scroll section 24 at about maximum horizontal movement. Thus it is obvious that the roller 21 must follow a prescribed course onto the upper scroll sections.

While the invention has been illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, there is no intent to limit the scope or spirit ofthe invention to the precise details so set forth except insofar as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bottom dump skip having a side door hinged for opening first outwardly and then downwardly to release a carried load and mounted for operation in a framework, a pair of opposed door opening and closing scroll members mounted in the framework and scroll engaging members mountedon the side door arranged to cooperate with the scroll members to open and close the door by movement of the skip in said framework, a scroll carried by the framework inclusive of two opposed scroll members, each said scroll member providing a continuous path and including a pair of tracks arranged in a straight and generally vertical section, at least one straight intermediate section including a pair of tracks extending from and disposed at an angle inclined forwardly to said first section, and a straight end section disposed substantially horizontally in said framework, the angle between said intermediate and said end sections being substantially greater than the angle between said first and said intermediate sections.

2. The assembly of claim 1 in which the angle between said intermediate and said end sections is at least twice as great as the angle between said first and said intermediate sections.

3. The assembly of claim 1 in which the angle between said intermediate and said end section is about'one-half as great as the angle between said first and said intermediate sections.

4. A bottom dump skip having a side door hinged for opening first outwardly and then downwardly to release a carried load and mounted for operation in a framework, 8. pair of opposed door opening and closing scroll members mounted in' the framework and scroll engaging members mounted on the skip door and arranged to cooperate with the scroll members to open and close the door by movement of the skip in such framework, a scroll carried by the framework inclusive of two opposed scroll embers, each said scroll member including a pair of spaced apart tracks arranged in a straight, generally vertical section, a first straight intermediate section including a pair of spaced apart tracks interconnected with said vertical section and disposed at an angle inclined forwardly of said first section, a second straight intermediate section including a pair of spaced apart tracks interconnected with said first intermediate section and inclined forwardly thereof, and a straight end section inclusive of a single track section disposed substantially horizontally in said framework and extending from said second section, said intermediate sections being disposed at an angle to each other, the angle between said second intermediate and said end sections being substantially greater than the angle between said first intermediate and said vertical sections.

5. A bottom dump skip having a door hinged for opening first outwardly and then downwardly to release a carried load and operably mounted in an upright framework including scrolls mounted in said framework and engaging members arranged to open and close the dumping side door on movement of the skip along said tracks, opposed scroll members mounted in the framework, each said scroll member including a pair of tracks arranged in a first straight section disposed substantially vertically, at least one straight intermediate section including a pair of tracks disposed at a slight angle to and extending forwardly of said first section, a second straight end section including a single track disposed substantially horizontally, and extending forwardly of said interme diate section, and a rearwardly extended scroll section spaced from said end section and including a single track, opposed stationary rollers mounted in said scroll sections to provide continuous passage of the engaging members from the forwardly extending to the rearwardly extending scroll sections, and opposed scroll sections mounted on the door of said skip in position to engage said rollers on passage of the door past said rollers, said opposed door mounted scroll sections including one short scroll section and one longer section for supporting said door during reverse movements of said door mounted scroll rollers.

6. A bottom dump skip having a downwardly sloping stationary bottom member and a side door mounted for opening first outwardly and then downwardly to form a chute with said bottom member to release a carried load and operably mounted in an upright framework including scrolls and scroll engaging members arranged to open and close the dumping door on movement of the skip along said tracks, a pair of scroll members mounted on the framework, each said scroll member including a first section disposed to direct door mounted scroll engaging members forwardly of the framework and a second section disposed for directing the side door mounted engaging members rearwardly of the framework, opposed rollers mounted adjacent the intersection of said scroll sections arranged to provide passage of the engaging members from one scroll section to the other, and opposed scroll segments mounted on the door of said skip in position to engage said opposed rollers on passage of the side door past said rollers, each said opposed scroll segments including a short segment for contacting a lower portion of said opposed rollers and a longer segment for runnning on said opposed rollers supporting said door through its forward and rearward transition.

7. A bottom dump skip having a downwardly sloping stationary bottom member and a side door mounted for opening first outwardly and then downwardly to form a chute with said bottom member to release a carried load and operably mounted in an upright framework in-.

cluding scrolls and scroll engaging members arranged to open and close the dumping door on movement of the skip along said tracks, a pair of scroll members mounted on the framework, each said scroll member including a first section disposed to direct door mounted scroll engaging members forwardly of the framework and an interconnected second section disposed to direct the door mounted engaging members rearwardly of the framework, opposed rollers mounted at about the intersection of said scroll sections and arranged to provide passage of the engaging members from one scroll section to the other, and opposed scroll segments mounted on each side of the door of said skip in position to engage said opposed rollers on passage of the door past said rollers, each said opposed scroll segments including an upper portion arranged to contact and bear on said opposed rollers during transition between forward and rearward door movement, and a short guiding portion for directing said upper portion into contact with said opposed rollers.

8. A bottom dump skip having a downwardly sloping stationary bottom member and a side door mounted for opening first outwardly and then downwardly to form a chute with said bottom member to release a carried load and being mounted in an upright framework inclusive of tracks and engaging members arranged to open the dumping door by movement of the skip along such tracks, a scroll member mounted on each side of the framework in position to contact engaging members mounted on the opening door of the skip, each said scroll including a first straight generally vertical section mounted in position to engage a respective engaging member on said door, a second straight section disposed at an angle directly forwardly of said first section, a third section disposed at an angle to said second section and extended forwardly thereof, the angle between said third and second sections being substantially greater than the angle between the first and second sections, a rearwardly directed scroll section disposed at an acute angle to said third section and directed oppositely thereof, a pair of opposed rollers mounted at about the intersection of said third and rearward sections, and scroll segments mounted on the skip door arranged to be supported on said opposed rollers during transition between forward and reverse door movement.

9. A bottom dump skip having a downwardly sloping stationary bottom member and a side door mounted for opening first outwardly and then downwardly to form a chute with said bottom member to release a carried load and being mounted in an upright framework inclusive of tracks and engaging members arranged to open the dumping door by movement of the skip along such tracks, a scroll member mounted on each side of the framework in position to contact engaging members mounted on the opening door of the skip and including scroll segments mounted on opposed sides of the skip door, each said scroll including a first straight generally vertical section mounted in position to engage the engaging member on said door, a second straight section disposed at a slight angle directed forwardly of said first section, a third section disposed at an angle to said second section and extended forwardly thereof, the angle between said third and second sections being substantially greater than the angle between the first and second sections, a rearwardly directed scroll section disposed at an acute angle to said third section and directed oppositely thereof, and a roller mounted at about the intersection of said third section and said rearwardly directed scroll in position to contact and support said door mounted scroll segments during transition between forward and reverse movements of the engaging members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,659,502 Erickson Nov. 17, 1953 2,828,041 Leonard Mar. 25, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 702,906 France Apr. 21, 1931 

